BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A caregiver hired to help a 93-year-old Brevard County woman is accused of exploiting her and cashing thousands of dollars in unauthorized checks, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Patricia Eileen Browne was hired earlier this year as Marilyn Cosgrove’s live-in caregiver after Cosgrove’s family posted an advertisement on Craigslist, investigators said.
The arrangement began April 1 and allowed Browne to live in the home without paying rent or utilities in exchange for providing care. She was also supposed to receive $1,000 per month for her work.
Investigators say the arrangement took a turn after Cosgrove’s family learned of suspicious activity involving her bank account.
17 checks totaling $6,500
According to the affidavit, Space Coast Credit Union identified 17 checks made payable to Browne during May.
Cosgrove’s daughter told investigators neither she nor her mother signed or authorized the checks.
Cosgrove also told investigators she did not manage her own finances and was unaware of the checks. A handwriting sample taken from her did not match the signatures appearing on the checks, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said the checks ranged from $250 to $500 and totaled $6,500.
The family became suspicious after the credit union restricted Cosgrove’s account because of the activity. Investigators determined that the checks came from two checkbooks the family said they did not know existed in the home.
Bank surveillance reviewed
Detectives obtained bank records and surveillance video from Space Coast Credit Union.
According to the affidavit, the fraudulent checks were negotiated at three different credit union locations in Brevard County.
Investigators said surveillance footage showed a woman matching Browne’s appearance conducting the transactions. Detectives also noted what they described as a distinctive tattoo on her right forearm that helped support the identification.
The affidavit says surveillance also showed Browne riding in the rear passenger seat of the same vehicle while it was used during the check transactions.
Browne denied wrongdoing
Investigators interviewed Browne in June.
She acknowledged that she had an agreement to care for Cosgrove and was supposed to receive $1,000 per month, according to the affidavit.
When questioned about the 17 checks, Browne said she was unsure who had signed them and assumed Cosgrove’s daughter had written them.
Investigators said Browne disputed cashing checks totaling $6,500 and maintained that she only cashed checks she was authorized to receive. She denied wrongdoing.
Driver tells investigators about frequent bank trips
Investigators also interviewed a woman who said she had initially met Browne while working as a Lyft driver.
The driver said Browne later began contacting her directly for rides and that she drove Browne approximately 20 times over about two months.
According to the affidavit, the driver said many of those trips involved taking Browne to banks and other locations. She told investigators Browne typically paid her about $100 in cash for a day of transportation.
The driver eventually stopped providing rides because she became concerned Browne might be exploiting the elderly woman she cared for, according to investigators.
Multiple charges listed in warrant
The arrest warrant affidavit alleges Browne committed organized fraud involving less than $20,000, exploitation of an elderly person, 17 counts of uttering a forged instrument and 17 counts of cashing or depositing a check with intent to defraud.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said Browne has since been located.
The allegations against Browne have not been proven in court.
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